The Moscow Humanities University, a prominent institution in Russia’s humanities sector founded by British sociologist Theodore Shanin in 1995, has been stripped of its accreditation. This decision comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of educational institutions in Russia, particularly those with international affiliations. Theodore Shanin, who has long been a critical voice on Russian society, has expressed concern over the implications of the accreditation loss for academic freedom and institutional integrity.
Founded in 1995, the university has been a significant player in the Russian higher education landscape, offering programs in sociology, political science, and cultural studies. Its loss of accreditation signals a broader trend of government intervention in academic institutions, raising questions about the future of intellectual discourse in the country. Critics argue that such actions could stifle academic inquiry and further isolate Russian universities from global academic networks.